High Notes, Vol 18 No 1, February 03 2017

Welcome to Term 1

We commence the new school year with a fresh perspective on making a difference in learning using
visible thinking routines and dispositional teaching strategies to engage our students. We hope
to produce a renewed enthusiasm for maximising student potential. This is the last year of our
Strategic Plan (2015-17).

Killip Wing and the northern side of the main building are being painted. We expect this major
facelift to our site to be completed next week. Along with the painting, the renewal of downpipes
with externally mounted ones, repairs and drainage reclamation, Killip Wing is looking much
better indeed. Our thanks go to the DoE who have funded this much-needed work. The foyer and
stairwell of the main building have also been freshly painted and the honour boards rearranged.
The area is lighter and brighter than previously. The P & C project to renew the sound and
projection system in the Great Hall was completed in the holidays at a cost of $87k. The sound
and projection quality is much improved as a result. Thank you to the P & C for funding the
renewal. A parent of an Old Boy has funded a new honour board to be displayed in the Great Hall.
This board commemorates the CHS Blues recipients since 1961 when records began. I want to thank
Mrs Elizabeth Phipps for her generosity in making this donation to recognise elite sportsmen. The
cloisters have been smartened up with the camellias pruned, the statues cleaned and the lawn
treated. It looks really green and healthy in that area.

High Talent

Andrew Wu (SBHS-2016) received an Encore! nomination for his performances in HSC music extension.
Jason Loh (12E) was honoured with an Encore! Nomination for composition in HSC Music 2. Great
work, Andrew and Jason! Daniel Cai (12M) won the prize in the ‘Student Life
‘Challenge for photography. Once again, congratulations to Daniel – an outstanding
photographer!

Staff Changes

Joining our staff this year as permanent appointments are Cassandra Pride (English) and Dane
Drivas (LOTE -Classics). Temporary teachers employed this term are: Dennis Yiu (Mathematics - for
Ron Boros), Fiona Richards (Social Sciences – for Donna McBride), Eliana Apostilides
(Visual Arts - for Bonnie Collignon), Ellie Harcourt (History – for Rosie Tracey), Kurt
Rich (PE- for Mark Pavone), and Chris Noble & Lucas Matto (Science – maternity
leave for Ingrid Pepe and Natalie Mackenzie). I welcome you all into our High community and hope
you find working with us and with the boys, enjoyable and rewarding.

Early Bird Discounts

In order to help all areas of the school we offer a substantial discount to
parents who pay all their invoices in full before Tuesday, 28 February. It is not only a great
demonstration by them of their commitment to the ethos of the school but also it’s an
encouragement for others to follow their lead and it helps to create a critical mass of financial
support for our programs. The annual cash contribution by the DoE finances less than one
quarter of our programs at High. The rest comes from the support of parents and the
efforts made by School family volunteers, helping in fund raising. Having substantial funds early
in the year allows us to make sure that capital works are completed in the holidays, orders are
made promptly and that the boys get the maximum benefit out of equipment and services deployed
for them this year. Quality services, extra staff and high standards come at a price. A very
large number of parents see the package as value for money and contribute in full. The early bird
discount is available for students who were invoiced in December 2016 or later and does not apply
to students who were invoiced in October 2016 and subsequently came to Orientation Day in
November and had the opportunity to pay everything on the day and obtain the discount. Year 7, 9
or 11 boys who were not made offers before Orientation Day are eligible for the
discount. Students in Years 8-12 have the chance to make a saving by paying in full by Tuesday 28
February.

Last year, 671 families (55.64 %), saw the benefit of supporting the school
fully, in all of its activities early in the year and thereby earned the discount. I thank them
heartily for their support and reset our target to attract 56.5% of parents this year. We offer
all the benefits of activities available at independent schools…but at 10% of the cost.
Let’s carry on High’s self-help culture to make sure we achieve our goals for your
sons in 2017 and beyond!

Weights Room for 2017

High’s weights room offers exceptional value for money. The room has appropriate equipment
for preparing the bodies of teenage boys and crucially, it is constantly supervised. When
handling weights, technique is vitally important and boys need to learn the correct way to lift.
Kurt Rich, our Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, is a well-credentialed and
experienced trainer. His presence ensures that the boys are training safely and sensibly. So as
well as getting gym facilities, clients have a supervisor and adviser to help them during their
unlimited visits. The Weights Room operates much more effectively if all boys
get their training in how to use the various pieces of equipment and in proper lifting technique,
as soon as possible. Kurt Rich provides this service at the beginning of each year and can tailor
individual programs for members after the introductory sessions. Having a fixed clientele makes
his job more productive and leads to a better training experience for members and better strength
outcomes for participants. Hence, we decided to close off memberships by the end of February each
year. Boys who have not paid by that time can no longer attend the weights room.

Costs for this service are held down to a minimum and reduced by boys taking out a full
year’s membership. For 2017, a full year Weights Room membership costs
just $240. Boys wishing to have full year membership must register and
pay by Tuesday 28 February 2017. There will be no extensions of time nor another
window of opportunity later in the year if you forget to pay on time.

High Rowing Rally – 25 February at the Outterside Centre

Please support this Old Boys Union event, which is sure to be entertaining and rewarding for the
rowing program. Book now! Old Boys, parents & the wider High community have a chance over
dinner to meet this year’s First VIII, its new coach Elliott Shackloth-Bertinetti &
some outstanding former High rowers. Our MC is Sam McCool (1993), global event MC and corporate
comedian, with very special guests including Champions & luminaries: David Anderson (1948),
bronze medalist at the 1952 Olympic Games, Drew Bowey (1976), John Croll and Luke Simpkins
(1981), Jack Singleton (1990) and Dom Grimm (2005). We are raising funds to buy new
‘Wavecutters’ to help develop our young rowers. $100 dinner & drinks. $75 for
2015 & 2016 Old Boys: http://www.shsobu.org.au/event/high-rowing-social/

If you are having trouble using the link, go to www.shsobu.org.au and you will find the event link on the right-hand side.Dr K A Jaggar
Principal